HUD AWARDS THE BREWER HOUSING AUTHORITY $2.4 MILLION TO CREATE EDUCATION CENTER FOR CHILDREN, ADULTS

BOSTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the Brewer Housing Authority
$2,491,690 today that will be used to create early childhood education and adult training facilities for public housing residents. The Brewer Housing Authority was one of five public housing authorities that received part of the nearly $15 million that was awarded today. It joined housing authorities in Georgia, New Jersey, New York and Washington.

"What better time than now to invest in helping Americans win the future," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "This funding fills the gap for public housing agencies that want to provide these services but lacked the resources. This is an investment to make certain we connect affordable housing with quality education and employment resources."

HUD's Capital Fund Education and Training Community Facilities (CFCF) Program provides funding to public housing authorities for the construction, rehabilitation, or purchase of facilities that will offer early childhood education, adult education and/or job training programs. It is designed primarily for public housing residents, but can be utilized by residents in the surrounding community. The purpose of the facilities is to offer comprehensive, integrated education and employment services to help public housing residents achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency.

The Brewer Housing Authority will use the funding to construct a 10,035 square-feet, one-story building on housing authority property. When completed, the facility will provide adult education and job training. Partners identified include the Brewer Adult & Community Education Program, Eastern Maine Community College and the Eastern Maine Development Corporation.

HUD requires successful applicants to illustrate their ability to get firm financial commitments to leverage the HUD grant by at least 5 percent. These applicants were also required to identify at least one education and/or training supportive service provider, such as a community college, that would partner with the housing authority to provide the education and employment services the facility. All of the grantees surpassed this requirement by forming partnerships with many local organizations in the community.

Read more about the grants awarded today on HUD's website.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and http://espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.